SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Cartesian Dualism: The Mind-Body Problem in Self-Improvement
Is Our Mind Independent From Our Body?
“Cogito ergo sum. (I think, therefore I am).” — Rene Descartes
Descartes’ theory of dualism implies that the mind is not accessible to us. This means that we cannot fully understand what goes on in our minds, let alone others. He also believed the soul was inaccessible to humans; we could only get an inkling of it through our senses.
Cartesian dualism is a belief that there are two different kinds of substance in the world: matter and spirit, also known as body and mind. Each one has its unique properties, functions, and capacities.
Self-improvement, according to Descartes, is only possible through a correct understanding of the mind. This is because our ability to reason sets us apart from animals. Reason allows us to reflect on our thoughts and actions. It is only by using our reason that we can improve ourselves.
The separation between body and mind enables self-improvement through introspection and logical thinking.
Descartes’ dualism has been influential in the Western world. Dualism is still a widespread belief today, particularly in the philosophical tradition of mind-body dualism.
But, there are many criticisms of Cartesian dualism. Some argue that it leads to a form of mental slavery, where we are at the mercy of our minds. Others say it is untrue and that the mind is as physical as the body.
Besides, Cartesian dualism remains an influential philosophical theory with essential implications for self-improvement. By understanding the mind as a separate entity from the body, we can begin to understand our thoughts and actions and change them for the better.
Through reason, we can gain greater control over our lives and improve ourselves both physically and mentally.
Principles of Cartesian Dualism
Cartesian dualism is a doctrine in philosophy that states that there are two types of substance, mind and matter.
The fundamental principles of Cartesian Dualism are:
- There is a mental substance that is not physical.
- The mental substance can affect the physical substance without being present.
- Psychological and physical substances have different properties.
- The mind and body interact through the pineal gland or other unknown mechanisms.
What Is Self-Improvement?
Self-improvement is looking at your traits, habits, and skills and identifying areas for self-improvement. This means you look at what can be improved about yourself, such as your health, career, relationships, and many other aspects.
Once you have identified these traits that can be improved, you then set goals to change them and use methods and techniques to achieve them.
Self-improvement can be completed in many different ways. Many people turn to self-help books and online resources for advice on how to improve themselves. Others choose to work with a therapist or coach to help with the process of self-improvement.
There is no one “right” way to improve yourself. The most important thing is to identify the areas in your life that you want to change and then take action to make those changes.
How Does Cartesian Dualism Lead to Self-Improvement?
The most significant implication of the Cartesian philosophy is the separation of body and mind. This separation leads to the idea that the mind has autonomous control over the body. Because the mind is not an extension of the body, the body has no control over the mind.
In other words, the mind can think and be aware of itself without the body having any say in the matter. The mind’s autonomy over the body allows us to think rationally and logically. It is also what makes it possible for us to have self-awareness. This is why introspection and self-awareness are critical ingredients for self-improvement.
We can look at ourselves from the inside out and think about how we can change and improve ourselves.
The second implication of Cartesian dualism is that the mind is immortal. This means that our minds will still exist even after our bodies die. This leads to the idea that we can improve ourselves in the afterlife. We can use our reason to think about our lives and how we want to change and improve ourselves.
“Dubium sapientiae initium. (Doubt is the origin of wisdom).” — Rene Descartes
Criticisms of Cartesian Dualism
There are many criticisms of Cartesian dualism, but two of the most significant ones are that it leads to mental slavery and is simply untrue.
The first criticism is that Cartesian dualism leads to mental slavery. According to philosophy, this is because our minds are autonomous from our bodies. This means that our minds can think and be aware of themselves without the body having any say in the matter.
As a result, we are at the mercy of our minds. We can never be sure that our thoughts and actions are our own. They could be influenced by outside forces that we are unaware of.
The second criticism is that Cartesian dualism is untrue. This is because the mind is as physical as the body. The mind is made up of neurons and brain chemistry, like the rest of the body. So, the mind can’t be a separate entity from the body.
Despite the criticisms, Cartesian dualism is still a powerful philosophy that can be used to improve ourselves.
We can use our reason to think about our lives and how we want to change and improve ourselves. We can also use our self-awareness to identify areas in our lives that need improvement. Using these tools, we can begin to take control of our lives and improve ourselves in many ways.
The Cartesian philosophy and its implications for self-improvement are still debated topics today. Descartes’ theory of dualism implies that the mind is not accessible to us. This means we cannot understand what goes on in our minds, let alone others.
Cartesian dualism is a belief that there are two fundamentally different kinds of substance in the world: matter and spirit, also known as body and mind. Each one has its unique properties, functions, and capacities. This separation between body and mind enables self-improvement through introspection and logical thinking.
What do you think? Do you think the mind is separate from the body? Or do you think the mind is also a body part? Let us know in the comments!
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I published this article in my Substack´s Newsletter, “Beyond Two Cents.” on October 5th, 2022.
© Alejandro Betancourt, 2022. All Rights Reserved.
